Claims of İmamoğlu's bid for CHP chairmanship

In the Republican People's Party (CHP), all eyes have turned to the party charter congress in September.

T24 columnist Murat Sabuncu raised a striking claim in his article titled “A CHP, four portraits”.

Sabuncu suggested that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu could take action to run for the CHP chairmanship.

According to what Sabuncu reported from behind-the-scenes, İmamoğlu has been unhappy with some of the steps taken by Özgür Özel, whom he supported against Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in the congress last November.

The relevant section of Sabuncu's article, titled "A CHP, four portraits | Ekrem İmamoğlu may take action to become CHP Chairman," is as follows:

"For some time now, İmamoğlu and his close working team have been discussing taking steps toward becoming the CHP chairman, or more accurately, announcing his candidacy. Various studies are being conducted on what kind of political future this would create for both the party and himself. I can even say that one of the topics being discussed is that a judicial decision imposing a political ban on İmamoğlu might not be as easily obtained if he were the leader of the main opposition party. Or, it is also stated that even if such a decision were taken, the method of 'fighting against those who caused this decision to be taken' could be different. (...)

Of course, the question that arises here is this: It has not even been a year since Özgür Özel, whom he strongly supported to become chairman, was elected. (Election date: 38th Ordinary Congress, November 5, 2023.) Although it is said that he will not rush into candidacy, when will this happen? Or what kind of effect will it have for this to start being discussed within the party? How will he announce his candidacy, how will he justify it? Or will he embark on this path by reaching an agreement with Özel or by competing against him?"

News Source: 12punto